NLIS 3 February 5, 2003 (Forest Resources and Agrifoods) (Health and Community Services) Public information sessions and rabies vaccinations planned for White Bay communities Public health and animal health officials will visit communities in the White Bay area this week to hold vaccination clinics and public education meetings in a continued effort to help control the spread of rabies on the Northern Peninsula. A wild fox found in Jackson�s Arm on January 25 tested positive for rabies, which is the fourth case of rabies reported in the region in recent weeks. The three other cases were identified near the community of St. Paul�s. Veterinarians with the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Animal Health Division will be visiting schools and holding public meetings to inform the general public about potential risks to human health and domestic pets as a result of rabies in the area. According to Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Hugh Whitney, public cooperation is integral in helping control the spread of the disease. "The ability of a control program aimed at stopping any further spread of rabies to other locations in the province will require a cooperative effort by the general public to control the activity of domestic pets and report any abnormal behaviour of wild animals such as foxes and coyotes." The schedule for rabies vaccination clinics and community information sessions is as follows:
Meanwhile, health officials are again reminding the public to:
More information on this disease can be found on the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods� website at: www.gov.nl.ca//www.gov.nl.ca/agric/her&rab/rabiesfront.htm or contact the following: Dr. Hugh Whitney Media contact: 2003 02 05 1:00 p.m. |
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